The Dover and Danville School Districts are encouraging residents to vote ‘yes’ to proposed millage increases that would provide each district with money for school improvements.

Danville is asking voters for a 3.5 mill increase, which will fund a school expansion that includes the building of new classrooms, library addition, band and choir rooms, an elementary cafeteria and a safe room.

Danville currently has the 14th-lowest millage rate in the state at 31.0. With the increase, Danville will be at 34.5, which is below the 2012 state average of 37.29.

The Dover School District is requesting 5.5 new debt-service mills through 2043 and a seven-year extension of the existing 15.3 debt mills to fund school renovations.

Dover Superintendent Jerry Owens said there was a “great need” for improvements. He said the middle school doesn’t currently have a tornado shelter and that “it’s a safety issue.”

Today, voters will also elect school board candidates.

The only contested school board race is in Atkins where Shane A. Crawford is vying for the chair currently held by Carl Warren, who is seeking re-election.

Warren, 42, has lived in Atkins all his life and has two children attending Atkins schools. He said he should be re-elected because of his experience and dedication.

“I have served for the last 10 years on the board and I am really excited about the great things that are underway for our school at this time,” he said. “I have taken my position very seriously and feel that it has been an honor to serve our kids and our community. I feel like my experience can be an asset that can be used to [make] better future decisions for our school.”

Crawford, 37, said Atkins is the only place he’s ever lived and that he wants to contribute to the community.

“My parents are Atkins graduates, my wife and I are Atkins graduates and both of my kids are currently in Atkins schools, so I have a lot vested into the Atkins School District and I want to make it the best that I can,” he said. “The decisions that the school board makes impacts the futures of all the children here and I think I could be an asset in those decisions.”